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Unlock This CourseA mosque is the Muslim place of worship. You met it in the lesson on the Muslim family. Now we look inside it. Mosques look very different around the world, but they all exist so that Muslims can pray, and everything about their design is meant to help with that.
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Many mosques have a dome over the main hall and a tall tower called a minaret. Traditionally the minaret was where the call to prayer, the adhan, was made, so it could be heard far away. The tower also marks the building as a mosque. The minaret also invites people to worship Allah. In the UK many minarets are decorative or symbolic, the call to prayer is rarely made from them, and many mosques have none. The dome gives the hall a large open space above the worshippers.
Many mosques have a courtyard, a space for gathering before and after prayer. In the UK many mosques began as converted houses, shops or halls, because a community needs a place to pray before it can afford to build. Others are purpose-built, with a dome and minaret.
There is no single required style. A mosque needs space, cleanliness and the right direction. Some are simple, others very grand.
Mosques are often decorated with calligraphy, usually verses from the Qur'an or the names of Allah, and with geometric patterns that repeat and never end. There are no pictures of people or animals in the prayer hall. Many Muslims explain this by the belief in Tawhid, that Allah is one and nothing can be compared to him. Pictures could tempt people to worship the picture rather than Allah. The patterns are often said to point to the order and endlessness of Allah's creation.
The prayer hall is a large, open room with a clear floor space. It is carpeted, often with lines marked on the carpet, and it usually has no seats, because worshippers stand, bow and kneel on the floor (a few chairs may be kept for people who cannot). Worshippers take off their shoes to keep it clean, because they pray on the floor. They stand side by side in rows facing Makkah. For Muslims, standing in lines shows that all are equal before Allah, whatever their wealth or background, and shows the unity of the ummah. In most mosques men and women pray in separate areas, such as a different room or a balcony.
The mihrab is a niche set into the qiblah wall. It shows the direction of the Ka'ba. In the UK the qiblah points roughly south-east. The imam usually stands near it to lead the prayer. Muslims see this as a sign that believers across the world pray towards one place.
The minbar is a set of steps, often wooden and decorated, near the mihrab. The imam gives the khutbah from it on Fridays so everyone can see and hear him. It reminds Muslims that the Friday sermon is a key part of worship and teaching.
Before prayer a Muslim does wudu, washing parts of the body such as the hands, face and feet. The ablution area has taps and seating for this. Muslims believe they should be clean in body and mind when standing before Allah. How wudu is done is covered in the lesson on Salah.
Shi'a mosques are very like Sunni mosques in these features. One difference is that many Shi'a Muslims place a small clay tablet (a turbah) on the floor to rest their forehead on in prayer, because they prefer to touch natural earth. Shi'a communities also use their mosques and centres for special gatherings, such as those held at Ashura.
The mosque is open for the five daily prayers, and the largest crowd comes for Jum'a (Friday prayer). Muslims also use it for:
Muslims agree that a mosque is a place of prayer, but they differ about how much more it should do.
Some Muslims say the mosque is mainly for worship, and that other activities should not crowd out prayer or spoil the quiet and respect of the building.
Others say the mosque should serve the whole community, with teaching, charity, advice and meetings. They note that in Madinah the Prophet's mosque was used for prayer and also for teaching and community matters.
Muslims also differ about women. Many say separate areas give privacy and are traditional, and that women are welcome in them. Others say some mosques give women a small or poor space, and that women should have a space as good as the men's, with a full part in the mosque's life, such as teaching and committees.
(a) Outline two features of the inside of a mosque. [4 marks]
(b) Explain why the design and decoration of a mosque are important to Muslims. [6 marks]
(c) "A mosque should be used only for prayer." Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include: reference to teachings; other (divergent) points of view; your opinion/point of view using reasoned arguments. [10 marks]
(a) One feature is the mihrab (1), a niche in the wall that shows the direction of the Ka'ba so Muslims know which way to face (1). Another is the ablution area (1), where Muslims do wudu to be clean before they pray (1).
(b) Design matters because it reflects Muslim beliefs. The calligraphy and patterns show that Allah is one and cannot be pictured, so there are no pictures of people or animals (1). The calligraphy of Qur'an verses reminds worshippers of Allah's word (1). The clear carpeted floor with no seats lets everyone pray side by side in rows, which shows equality and unity (1). The mihrab shows that all Muslims face Makkah (1). The minaret was used for the call to prayer, which invites people to worship Allah (1). Because the design helps people to focus on Allah and pray together, it makes the worship easier and shows respect for Allah (1).
(c) Plan: Agree: some Muslims say the main purpose is worship, as the mihrab, prayer hall and ablution area show; busy activities may spoil the peace; respect for the building. Disagree: the Prophet's mosque in Madinah was also used for teaching and community matters, which many Muslims take as an example; some Muslims want women to have a full part in the mosque's life, not just prayer space; the madrasah, charity and advice help Muslims live their faith; open days build good relations with neighbours. Possible conclusion: prayer must come first, but a mosque that also serves the community follows the Prophet's example and helps Muslims put their beliefs into action.
When asked why a feature is important, do not just describe it. Add a "because" that links it to a Muslim belief, such as equality, unity or Tawhid.